Marlon Wayans Submits ‘Good Grief’ for Emmy® Consideration

Comedian’s Amazon Prime special vies for Outstanding Variety Special big nod and Emmy wins

By Reshmi Das

In a playful push for awards season, Marlon Wayans has officially thrown his Amazon Prime Video comedy special Good Grief into the Emmy® ring. On his Instagram, the veteran comedian shared images of his Emmy® “For Your Consideration” poster, urging voters to back Good Grief in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category and beyond.

Marlon Wayans Submits ‘Good Grief’ for Emmy® Consideration pinit button
Image: Instagram

Marlon Wayans Enters Emmy Race

Wayans captioned his post: “For Your Emmy®️ Awards Consideration — MARLON WAYANS: GOOD GRIEF in Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) and all other categories. #PrimeFYC.” The images show Wayans holding the bold yellow poster against a neutral backdrop, flashing his signature grin.

This marks Wayans’s first formal Emmy® campaign for a solo stand-up special. Good Grief premiered on Amazon Prime Video in March 2023, delivering the irreverent humor and candid storytelling that fans know from his Wild Child Tour. In an earlier Instagram promotion of that tour, Wayans noted that Good Grief soared to #1 on the platform in its debut week—a feat he’ll be hoping Emmy® voters remember.

Good Grief’s Streaming Success

Good Grief captures Wayans at his observational best, tackling themes from social media overload to the absurdities of modern dating. The special has drawn praise for its rapid-fire delivery and unfiltered honesty, qualities that Amazon’s marketing leaned into ahead of its release. By highlighting Good Grief’s streaming numbers and critical reception, Wayans and Prime Video are mounting a credible bid in a crowded comedy field.

Amazon’s Emmy® push for Good Grief comes amid stiff competition. Last year, nominees in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category included high-profile concerts, awards broadcasts, and comedy specials from streaming rivals. Wayans’s campaign materials emphasize his dual role as performer and producer, underscoring the show’s creative control.

Comedian’s Career Snapshot

Born in 1972 into the famed Wayans family, Marlon first made waves alongside his brother Shawn in Scary Movie and later charmed audiences in White Chicks. Over two decades, he’s expanded into writing, directing, and producing. On the small screen, Wayans earned acclaim for his sitcom The Wayans Bros., while on the big screen he’s delivered memorable turns in films like Little Man and Requiem for a Dream.

Away from scripted work, Wayans has cultivated a devoted stand-up following. His Wild Child Tour has played major venues across North America, with fans praising his capacity to blend self-deprecation, family anecdotes, and social commentary. Good Grief distills that energy into roughly 65 minutes of stage time, capturing his rapport with live audiences.

Looking ahead, Wayans continues to build momentum. Beyond Good Grief’s Emmy® bid, he’s slated to star in upcoming comedy films and has teased more specials in the pipeline. His Emmy® push may well signal a new chapter—solidifying his status as a multifaceted creator in the comedy landscape.

With the 2024 Emmy® nominations around the corner, Wayans’s PrimeFYC campaign is a reminder that stand-up specials remain vital in the award conversation. Whether Good Grief secures a nod in Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) or elsewhere, fans will be tuning in to see if the comic’s bold pitch pays off.

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Marlon Wayans is a member of the Wayans family, which includes his siblings Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, all of whom are also involved in the entertainment industry.
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Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das
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